U.S. patent number 4,826,349 [Application Number 07/093,203] was granted by the patent office on 1989-05-02 for underground vehicle barricade.
Invention is credited to Ralph G. Nasatka.
United States Patent |
4,826,349 |
Nasatka |
May 2, 1989 |
Underground vehicle barricade
Abstract
A vehicle barricade comprises a frame having an open top and
bottom, side, front and rear portions. A barrier plate is pivotally
associated with the frame for being pivoted between a first and a
second position. A cylinder and piston assembly pivots the barrier
plate between the positions. A first stop extends from and is
carried by the barrier plate. A second stop is connected to the
frame and is engageable with the first stop for preventing said
barrier plate from pivoting beyond said second position. A
plurality of tubes extend forwardly from the front portion and
prevent the frame from moving in the event the barrier plate is
impacted by a vehicle.
Inventors: |
Nasatka; Ralph G. (Clinton,
MD) |
Family
ID: |
22237733 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/093,203 |
Filed: |
September 4, 1987 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
404/6; 49/131;
49/33; 49/49 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F
13/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E01F
13/08 (20060101); E01F 13/00 (20060101); E01F
013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;404/6,9-11
;49/31,33,49,131 ;14/71.1,71.3,71.7 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3134247 |
|
Mar 1983 |
|
DE |
|
2586127 |
|
Feb 1987 |
|
FR |
|
1261704 |
|
Jan 1972 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Massie; Jerome W.
Assistant Examiner: Letchford; John F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Shlesinger & Myers
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A vehicle barricade, comprising:
(a) frame means having an open top and bottom, side, front and rear
portions;
(b) a barrier plate pivotally associated with said frame means for
being pivoted between a first position overlying said top and a
second position angularly upwardly disposed relative to said
top;
(c) means operably associated with said plate for pivoting said
plate;
(d) first stop means extending from an carried by said plate;
(e) second stop means associated with said frame means engageable
with said first stop means for preventing said plate from pivoting
beyond said second position; (and),
(f) stabilizer means comprising a plurality of spaced parallel
first members extending forwardly from said front portion for
keying said frame means into the medium surrounding said frame
means and thereby preventing said frame means from moving in the
event said plate is impacted by a vehicle; and,
(g) each of said first members is tubular so that the medium
surrounding the members fills same
2. The barricade of claim 1, wherein:
(a) said (stabilizer means including at least a) first members
(member) extending angularly upwardly from said front portion.
3. The barricade of claim 1, wherein:
(a) (a plurality of spaced apart first members extending from said
front portion,) said first members being substantially uniform
spaced apart (and extending in parallel).
4. The barricade of claim 1, wherein:
(a) said stabilizer means operably connected to and extending from
said second stop means.
5. The barricade of claim 1, wherein:
(a) means connecting said barrier plate with said front and rear
portions when in said second position so that the impact of a
vehicle is transferred to said frame means.
6. The barricade of claim 1, wherein:
(a) said frame means being positioned in a cementitious material
surrounding said front, rear and side portions but not overlying
said top.
7. The barricade of claim 1, wherein:
(a) said first members are secured to said frame means intermediate
said open top and bottom portion.
8. The barricade of claim 1, wherein:
(a) first and second segment plates carried by and extending
downwardly from said barrier plate, each of said segment plates
disposed adjacent one of said side portions; and,
(b) face plate means secured to each of said segment plates.
9. The barricade of claim 8, wherein:
(a) third and fourth segment plates carried by and extending
downwardly from said barrier plate, said third plate disposed
adjacent said first plate and said fourth plate disposed adjacent
said second plate; and,
(b) center plate means secured to and extending between said third
and fourth plates and said center plate means being substantially
parallel to said top when said barrier plate is in said second
position.
10. The barricade of claim 9, wherein:
(a) first support plate means extending between and secured to said
first and third plates an said first support plate means being
generally parallel to said top when said barrier plate is in said
second position; and,
(b) second support plate means extending between and secured to
said second and fourth plates and said second support plate means
being generally parallel to said top when said barrier plate is in
said second position.
11. The barricade of claim 1, wherein:
(a) said barrier plate being generally rectangular and having a
contact edge associated with said front potion and a pivot axis
associated with said rear portion;
(b) shaft means extending along and secured to said barrier plate
and defining said pivot axis; and,
(c) means operably associated with said rear portion and
cooperating with said barrier plate for substantially preventing
other than rotary movement of said shaft means.
12. The barricade of claim 11, wherein:
(a) an open top channel being operably connected to said rear
portion proximate to said top;
(b) said shaft means seated in said channel; and,
(c) means extending from said channel for preventing removal of
said shaft means therefrom.
13. The barricade of claim 12, wherein:
(a) a base plate secured to said channel and extending rearwardly
therefrom, said base plate having an edge portion overlying said
channel and said shaft means and providing said preventing means;
and,
(b) anchor means extending from said channel and from said base
plate for preventing movement thereof.
14. An underground barrier for controlling passage along a roadway,
comprising:
(a) an excavated site disposed across a roadway to be
controlled;
(b) frame means positioned within said site and including front,
rear, side and bottom portions and having an open top generally
aligned with the roadway and said frame means defining a
chamber;
(c) stabilizer means extending angularly upwardly and forwardly
from said front portion;
(d) cementitious material positioned within said site and disposed
about said frame means for anchoring said frame means therein, said
cementitious material cooperating with said stabilizer means for
preventing upward movement of said frame means;
(e) a barrier plate pivotally secured to said rear portion and
overlaying said top;
(f) means connected to said frame means and operably associated
with said plate for pivoting said plate between a first position
overlying said top in alignment with the roadway and a second
position angularly upwardly disposed thereto for blocking the
roadway;
(g) first stop means carried by said plate;
(h) second stop means secured to said front portion for being
engaged by said first stop means and thereby preventing said plate
from pivoting beyond said second position and for transferring
impact forces from said plate to said frame means;
(i) first and second segment plates carried by said plate, each of
said segment plates positioned adjacent one of said side portions
and disposed within said chamber when said barrier plate is in said
first position; and,
(j) each of said segment plates having a contact portion providing
said first stop means.
15. The barrier of claim 14, wherein:
(a) said stabilizer means extending from said second stop means;
and,
(b) said stabilizer means including a plurality of spaced tubular
members and said members being filled with said cementitious
material.
16. The barrier of claim 14, wherein:
(a) an open top channel being secured to said rear portion adjacent
said top;
(b) shaft means secured to said barrier plate along an edge thereof
and defining a pivot axis therefor;
(c) a base plate secured to said channel and having a portion
overlying said shaft means for preventing said shaft means from
being removed from said channel; and,
(d) anchor means extending from and secured to said base and said
channel and being disposed within said cementitious material.
17. The barrier of claim 14, wherein:
(a) third and fourth segment plates carried by said barrier plates,
said third plate disposed adjacent said first plate and said fourth
plate disposed adjacent said second plate; and,
(b) first and second face plates, said first face plate secured to
and carried by said first and third segment plates and said second
face plate secured to and carried by said second and fourth segment
plates.
18. The barrier of claim 17, wherein:
(a) a central plate extending between said third and fourth segment
plates, said central plate being substantially parallel to the
roadway when said barrier plate is in said second position:
(b) an upright plate extending between and secured to said, central
plate and said barrier plate.
19. The barrier of claim 18, wherein:
(a) first and second reinforcing plates, said first reinforcing
plate secured to and extending between said first and third
plates;
(b) said second reinforcing plate extending between and secured to
said second and fourth plates; and,
(c) said central and first and second reinforcing plates being
generally aligned for reinforcing said barrier plate and for
transferring impact forces to said frame means.
20. A vehicle barricade, comprising:
(a) frame means having an open top and bottom, side, front and rear
portions;
(b) a barrier plate pivotally associated with said frame means for
being pivoted between a first position overlying said top and a
second position angularly upwardly disposed relative thereto;
(c) means operably associated with said plate for causing pivoting
thereof;
(d) first stop means extending from and carried by said plate;
(e) second stop means associated with said frame means engageable
with said first stop means for preventing said plate from pivoting
beyond said second position;
(f) stabilizer means extending upwardly from said front portion for
preventing said frame means from moving in the event said plate is
impacted by vehicle;
(g) first and second segment plate's carried by and extending
downwardly from said barrier plate, each of said segment plates
disposed adjacent one of said side portions;
(h) face plate means secured to each of said segment plates;
(i) third and fourth segment plates carried by and extending
downwardly from said barrier plate, said third plate disposed
adjacent said first plate and said fourth plate disposed adjacent
said second plate; and,
(j) center plate means secured to and extending between said third
and fourth plates and said center plate means being substantially
parallel to said top when said barrier plate is in said second
position.
21. The barricade of claim 20, wherein:
(a) first support plate means extend between and are secured to
said first and third plates and said first support plate means is
generally parallel to said top when said barrier plate is in said
second position; and,
(b) second support plate means extend between and are secured to
said second and fourth plates and said second support plate means
is generally parallel to said top when said barrier plate is in
said second position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A vehicle barricade is a device which is disposed across a roadway
in order to control passage along the roadway. The barricade
normally has a barrier plate which is pivotal between a first
lowered position, permitting passage along the roadway, and a
second raised position, preventing passage. Naturally, there are
suitable operating mechanisms, such as hydraulic cylinder and
piston assemblies, for pivoting the barrier plate between the
positions. An illustrative aboveground barricade is illustrated in
my prior U.S. Pat. No., 4,574,523, for Vehicle Barricade or Maximum
Security Barrier, issued Mar. 11, 1986.
My prior above cited patent discloses an above-ground barricade
suitable for many installations. Some locations, on the other hand,
may not wish to have an above-ground barricade for aesthetic or
structural reasons. Belowground barricades are known, but most
require extensive preparatory excavation and do not adequately
withstand the impact force of the onrushing vehicle.
Those skilled in the art understand that there is a need for a
belowground barricade which can be installed with minimal amount of
excavation, in a minimal time period, and which assures positive
transfer of the impact forces to the barricade structure in order
to assure integrity of the barrier plate upon impact. The disclosed
underground barricade is one meeting these criteria and which is of
lightweight construction while retaining maximum strength.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the disclosed invention is an underground
vehicle barricade which may be installed with minimal excavation,
which has a lightweight barrier plate to permit relatively easy
pivoting between the positions, and which has means for effectively
transferring the impact forces from the barrier plate to the
barricade and surrounding terrain.
A vehicle barricade according to the invention comprises frame
means having an open top, and bottom, side, front and rear
portions. A barrier plate is pivotally associated with the frame
means for being pivoted between a first position overlying the top
and a second position angularly upwardly disposed relative to the
top. Means are operably associated with the plate for pivoting the
plate between the raised and lowered positions. First stop means
extend from and are carried by the plate and are engageable with
second stop means associated with the frame for preventing the
plate from pivoting beyond the second position and for assuring
transfer of impact forces from the plate to the frame means.
Stabilizer means extend forwardly from the front portion and
prevent the frame means from moving in the event the plate is
impacted by an onrushing vehicle.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be
readily apparent in view of the following description and drawings
of the above described invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects and advantages and novel features of
the present invention will become apparent from the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the barricade of the invention with
the barrier plate in the raised position;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the barrier plate with portions shown
in phantom;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section 3--3 of
FIG. 4;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of FIG. 1 with portions shown in
phantom; and,
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the anchor means used
to secure the barrier plate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Barricade B, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, is disposed across
roadway R for selectively interdicting traffic moving along the
roadway R. The barricade B is an underground barricade and barrier
plate 10 is parallel to and aligned with roadway R when in the
lowered position, as best shown in FIG. 3, and may be pivoted into
the raised or blocking position illustrated in FIG. 1.
Those skilled in the art understand that the barricade B must be
able to withstand the impact of an onrushing vehicle. For this
reason, it is important that the barricade B be firmly secured
below the roadway R and in the surrounding terrain. Otherwise,
impact with the barrier plate 10 could permit the barricade B to be
ripped from the ground and thereby be rendered unusable.
Furthermore, it is important that the barrier plate 10 transfer the
impact forces to some solid structure in order to withstand the
impact.
I have found that adequate support of the barricade B can be
achieved by anchoring the barricade B in an excavated site or pit
filled with concrete C. The pit can be kept relatively small and
thereby be excavated in a relatively short period of time. The
concrete C adds substantially to the mass of the barricade B and
helps to anchor the barricade B into the surrounding terrain.
Various types of concrete may be used with the invention, it merely
being necessary that the concrete C add sufficient mass and be of
sufficient strength.
I prefer that a metallic frame F, defining a chamber, be positioned
within the concrete C for anchoring the barricade B therein and
likewise for permitting rapid installation of the barricade B. The
frame F has a rear wall portion 12, a front wall portion 14, and
side portions, only the side portion 16 being shown in FIG. 3.
Also, the frame F has an open top IB which is covered by barrier
plate 10 when in the lowered position, and a bottom wall 20 with a
drainage sump 22. The use of metallic frame F permits rapid
installation because the frame F may be dropped into position after
the excavation is completed and the concrete C merely poured
thereabout. This minimizes installation time, thereby permitting
the barricade B to be operable in a relatively short period of
time.
Angle 22 is secured to rear wall portion 12 and to plate 24. Plate
24 may be bolted to rear wall portion 12, such as by bolt 26, or
otherwise secured thereto. The angle 22 forms a U-shaped channel
with the plate 24 which is open along the top 28 thereof. Shaft 30
is positioned within the channel and is secured to the barrier
plate 10, such as by welding, and shaft 30 defines a pivot axis for
the plate 10.
Base plate 32 is secured to angle 22 and extends rearwardly
therefrom. Plate 32 has a forward edge portion 34 which overlies
top 28 and shaft 30 and prevents the shaft 30 from being removed
from the channel. In this way, I insure that the barrier plate 10
Cannot be removed from its overlying relation to top 18, except
when authorized.
The angle 22 and base plate 32 are anchored to concrete C, as best
shown in FIG. 3. Downwardly extending pipes 36 are welded to base
plate 32. Angularly downwardly extending pipes 38 are welded to
angle 22 and are interconnected through brace 39 with the pipes 36
to form a plurality of C-shaped anchor assemblies 40. The concrete
C thereby surrounds the anchor assemblies 40 and prevents movement
of base plate 32 and angle 22. Furthermore, the pipes 38 are
generally angularly aligned with barrier plate 10 when the plate 10
is in the raised position so that the impact force is thereby
transferred from the plate 10 through shaft 30 and angle 22 to the
anchor assemblies 40. The impact forces are, thereby, absorbed and
the integrity of barrier plate 10 maintained.
FIG. 5 illustrates an anchor assembly 40 in conjunction with the
angle 22 and the plate 10. It can be noted that shims 42 and 44 are
positioned within angle 22 to properly align the shaft 30 to assure
proper pivoting of the plate 10.
Segment assemblies 46 and 48 are secured to barrier plate 10 and
extend downwardly therefrom, as best shown in FIG. 1. A central
plate 50 extends laterally between and is secured to the segment
assemblies 46 and 48 and is sufficiently closely spaced from
roadway R, when the barrier plate 10 is in the second position, to
prevent access to the internals of the barricade B. A center
upright plate 52 is secured to and extends vertically between
barrier plate 10 and central plate 50. A reinforcing plate 54 is
secured to barrier plate 10 along the forward contact edge 56
thereof in the area between segment assemblies 46 and 48.
The segment assemblies 46 and 48 are disposed inwardly from the
lateral edges 58 and 60 of plate 10. For this reason, recesses 62
and 64 extend laterally from the segment assemblies 46 and 48 and
permit the plate 10 to be flush with roadway R when in the first
position, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The recesses 62 and 64
preferably have a concrete surface, although steel or other similar
materials may be used.
Each of the segment assemblies 46 and 48 has a face plate 66 and
68, respectively, upon which the vehicle impacts. Segment plates 70
and 72, as best shown in FIG. 4, are secured to face plate 66 and
extend rearwardly therefrom and are secured to barrier plate 10.
Similar segment plates 74 and 76 are secured to and extend
rearwardly from face plate 68. The segment plates 70, 72, 74 and 76
are substantially identical in size, shape and purpose. It can be
noted in FIG. 1 that the segment plates 72 and 76 span at least the
distance between top 18 and barrier plate 10 and thereby prevent
unauthorized access to the interior of barricade B when the plate
10 is in the raised position. Preferably, a reinforcing plate 78
extends between each of the side segment plates 70-72 and 74 and
76, as best shown in FIG. 2.
Front portion 14 has a generally L-shaped reinforced segment 80
positioned substantially midway bottom 20 and top 18, and extending
between sides 16 and 84. A plurality of spaced tubular members 82
extend angularly upwardly and forwardly from segment 80. As best
shown in FIG. 3, the concrete C fills the open-ended tubular
members 82. The tubular members 82 extend in parallel relation and
act as stabilizers which key the barricade B into the concrete C.
The tubular members 82 extend angularly upwardly, thereby resisting
any tendency for the barricade B to rotate or pivot about the brace
39 when impacted by a vehicle. The tubular members 82 furthermore
prevent the barricade B from being removed from the concrete C.
Each of the face plates 66 and 68 is, as previously explained,
secured to the associated segment plates 70-72 and 74-76,
respectively. Each of the face plates 66 and 68, and the associated
segment plates, has a generally L-shaped contact portion 86, only
one of which is shown in FIG. 3.
Cylinder and piston assembly 88 is operably connected with bottom
20 and one of the segment plates, such as the segment plate 74 as
best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Operation of the cylinder and piston
assembly 88 causes the barrier plate 10 to pivot about shaft 30.
Preferably, the cylinder and piston assembly 88 is hydraulically
operated pursuant to the hydraulic system disclosed in copending
application Ser. No. 043,977, filed Apr. 29, 1987, in the names of
Ralph G. Nasatka and Michael Lippy for Hydraulic Vehicle Barricade
and Method, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
Pivoting of the barrier plate 10 to the second or raised position
causes the contact portion 86 to engage the laterally extending
segment 80, as illustrated in phantom line in FIG. 3. The contact
portions 86 thereby provide a first element of a stop system,
whereas the segment 80 provides the second element. The cylinder
and piston assembly 88 pivots the plate 10 until such time as the
contact portions 86 engage the segment 80, and thereby operably
connect, the plate 10 with the front portion 14, so that the impact
forces are distributed thereby to the concrete C.
The edge 56 is, in the second position, disposed approximately 34
inches above the surface of roadway R and top 18. An impacting
vehicle will, therefore, tend to be funneled toward shaft 30 by the
cooperative action of the barrier plate 10 and the central plate
50. The force resolution is such that the plate 10 attempts to
further rotate on shaft 30, but is prevented from so rotating by
engagement of contact portions 86 with segment 80. Furthermore, as
noted, the barrier plate 10 is substantially in angular alignment
with pipes 38 for likewise distributing impact force to the
concrete C. The overall effect is, therefore, one wherein the
impact force is initially received by the plate 10 and is then
distributed to the frame and the surrounding concrete C. The plate
10 is therefore better able to absorb the impact without suffering
massive structural damage, and without the plate 10 being ripped
from the angle 22 and thereby rendered inoperative. Furthermore,
plates 50 and 78, as best shown in FIG. 3, are oriented to absorb
the force of impact, funnel same toward anchor assemblies 40 and
thereby further reinforce plate 10.
The segment plates 72 and 74 are spaced sufficiently far apart so
that they will engage a vehicle attempting to crash through the
barricade B. The segment assemblies 46 and 48 will therefore engage
laterally spaced portions of the vehicle and begin to demolish
same, particularly if the speed is high. The center upright plate
52 will likewise engage the vehicle and cause further
disintegration. The result is that the onrushing vehicle is stopped
and the structural integrity of the barricade B maintained.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred
design, it is understood that it is capable of further
modifications uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in
general the principle of the invention and including such
departures from the present disclosure as come within known or
customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and
as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth,
and fall within the scope of the invention of the limits of the
appended claims.
* * * * *